NASHVILLE - Tennessee owners of an estimated 264,000 boats may want to race to renew their boat registrations before July 1 in advance of the state's first fee increase in 12 years, pending approval by the General Assembly's Government Operations Committee.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says all boating vessels operated by gas engine, electric motor or sail are required to be registered. The anticipated hike is based on increases in the consumer price index since the last fee increase a dozen years ago.
Increases are:
* The current annual fee for a 16-foot boat and under is $13, $24 for two boats, and $35 for three boats. New fees respectively will be $15, $28, and $41.
* Vessels with a length over 16 feet to 26 feet will see fees increase from $25 to $29 annually.
* Vessels over 26 feet to 40 feet increase from $38 to $44, while registration for vessels more than 40 feet moves from $51 to $59 annually.
